Learning Previews - Grade 8 - January 2018

Learning Previews - Grade 8 - January 2018

Posted on 01/17/2018

English: Mr. Nathan Saveriano nsaveriano@cpsd.us

8th graders readers and writers are now navigating through the world of short stories. As readers, we are unearthing the characteristics that make this genre so compelling -- unique protagonists and antagonists, internal and external conflicts, the use of symbolism, the use of foreshadowing, and the manipulation of plot structure. As writers, we will create our own complex protagonists who face relevant conflicts as they travel through an exposition, climax, and resolution. Please encourage your child to pick up a collection of short stories as their independent reading book.

Social Studies: Mr. Thomas Trainor ttrainor@cpsd.us

8th grade historians will begin their new unit on the shift from the Middle Ages to the Age of Ideas in Europe. We will explore the concept of change in society, and the conditions necessary for change. Moreover, we will examine the power of ideas and how they spread. Students will create a pitch presentation where they will analyze a historical figure’s point of view and try to convince an audience to believe in an important idea or concept.This project will identify the achievements and traits in individuals by presenting their ideas to an audience. Their goal is to persuade others through a writing and oral presentation. In addition, students will showcase their historical figure’s skills and qualifications through resume writing. The essential question for the unit is especially relevant in today’s political climate: How can individuals and groups make a difference in the world?

Science: Mr. David Suchy dsuchy@cpsd.us

8th graders have been getting deep into their investigation of Physics. They have studied and demonstrated Newton’s laws and will now look into forces in the real world, graphing motion, the relationship between force and energy, and the role of gravity in the formation of the universe. As always students will use a mixture of hands on and virtual experiences to explore the content with their classmates. Ask your child about the forces affecting everything around you every day.

Math (On-Grade Level): Mr. Jose Oliveira joliveira@cpsd.us

Students are currently learning about functions in our current short unit. In this unit, students are learning about why all functions are relations but not all relations are functions. Students are also learning about how to compare functions in various formats. Our next unit will focus on systems of linear equations. This week students will take their third computational fluency assessment. The data from these assessments will assist in helping students target any computational opportunities. Ask your student what makes a relation a function.

Accelerated Math Pathways: Mr. Jose Oliveira joliveira@cpsd.us

8th graders have been focusing on systems of linear functions. We have been examining different methods (graphing, substitution, and elimination) of solving a system of linear functions. Students have been solving real world problem using these linear function systems. Shortly, we begin our unit on exponential functions. This week students will take their third computational fluency assessment. The data from these assessments will assist in helping students target any computational opportunities. Be sure to ask your student how the elimination method differs from substitution method.